About Us

A Brotherhood of Omega Men

In 1974, the Iota Pi Graduate Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was chartered in Grand Rapids, MI. We work to uphold our values of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift through acts of service and leadership within our community. Iota Pi members are committed to improving the health, economic, and social well-being of individuals within our community.

Cardinal Principles

Manhood

Moral excellence. Courage. Bravery. Resolve. These characteristics define what it means to embody the principle of manhood as an Omega man.

Scholarship

Omega men strive to be lifelong learners and often go above and beyond to stay informed and educated. He understands how important it is to be knowledgeable and strives to educate those around him.

Perseverance

By exhibiting a spirit of brotherhood, togetherness, humility, cooperation, and a willingness to go an extra mile for the goal sought, an Omega man stands for perseverance.

Uplift

An Omega man understands that he is only as strong as his community; through sharing his gifts with the community around him, he is able to uplift others in the form of aid, activism, and leadership.

Chapter Officers

JaQuan Thompson, Basileus

JaQuan joined the Iota Pi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. as a student at Grand Valley State University in 2015. After graduating, JaQuan remained an active member and became the Basileus of the chapter in November of 2019. His favorite event to attend with his brothers each year is their Reclamation and Retention event, in which they bring back inactive members to remind them why their brotherhood is so important and encourage them to become active once again.

Marquis Buggs | 1st Vice Basileus

Dwight Harvey Jr. | 2nd Vice Basileus

Christopher Lovelady | Keeper of Records & Seal

Nathaniel Moody | Chaplain

Deavondre Jones | Keeper of Finance

Arnell Flemming | Keeper of Peace

Walter Burt | Editor to the Oracle

Lee Moyer | Immediate Past Basileus

Local Members

Trevin Alexander
Dr. Damon Arnold
Aaron Bailey
Sidney Bailey III*
Evens Baker
Errol Baty
Kenyatta L. Brame
Dr. Walter Brame
Kwabena Brisban
Marquis Buggs
Randall Burt*
Victor Burt
Dr. Walter Burt
Cobey Bussey
Rhondo Cooper
Aaron Dudley

Edward Eniang
Royce Evans
Arnell Flemming
Elsie Ford
Russell Hamlett III
Dwight Harvey, Jr.
Sam Freeman, Jr.
Ronnie Frelix, Jr.
Richard Gills
Dwight Gutridge
BG Shawn Harris, US Army
Greg Hodo*
Detwan Johnson
Joe Jones
Samuel Jones

Lyonel LaGrone II
Earnest Large
Eric Large
Rodney Lewis
Chris Lovelady
Eaton Maben
Darryl Martin
Jerry McComb
William “Will” McCurdy
Emmett Miller
Rev. Nathaniel Moody
Nathaniel Moody III
Lee Moyer
Micheal Noble
Oscar Neal

Igwe Nyeche
LeMark Payne
Jason Paulateer
Darryl Plunkett
Joe Powell
Paul Robinson
Darel Ross
Raynard Ross
Juan Sanders
Donald Scott
Terrance Shorter, Jr.
Quintin D. Sweat, Sr.
Alexander Thomas, Jr.
JaQuan Thompson
Vertlee Trice
Christian J. Verley

Cedrix Walker
Russell Williams
Wayne Wilson
Willie Wilson, Jr.
Ennis Young

History

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The initials represent the Greek phrase, “friendship is essential to the soul.” Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift were adopted as Cardinal Principles. Alpha chapter was organized with fourteen charter members later that same year.

Howard University withdrew its opposition to the fraternity and finally recognized it as a national organization. The fraternity had been operating without official sanction for the previous 3 years. The Beta chapter was chartered at Lincoln University this year.

Omega played a vital role when the United States entered World War I. Several brothers in the first class of black soldiers graduated from Camp Fort Des Moines, a military training facility located in Iowa.

There were now ten chapters of Omega in operation. During the Nashville Grand Conclave, Carter G. Woodson inspired the establishment of National Achievement Week to promote the study of Negro life and history.

The Iota Pi Chapter was chartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Eleven fraternity brothers came together to incorporate this Chapter and concentrate on implementing the national initiatives to increase enrollment of African American students in colleges and universities and support health care and community activities.

The Iota Pi Chapter became inactive due to numerous members moving away from Grand Rapids for employment opportunities. The remaining Brothers continued to communicate and also drew in new Brothers who were moving into the Greater Grand Rapids Area.

A petition was made to the Tenth District Representative and approval was granted to reactivate the Iota Pi Chapter. After many deliberations, the Brothers supported a slate of officers they felt would lead the Chapter to greater heights and successful program outcomes.

The first students from Grand Valley State University became initiated into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. under the Iota Pi chapter. While there is not a chartered undergraduate chapter at GVSU, we continue to gain members from the university.

The Chapter established the Omega Uplift Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization. The Omega Uplift Foundation is committed to uplifting young and adult Black men to become scholars, good citizens, and fathers through educational growth, health awareness, and value to their families and community.

The Iota Pi Chapter currently consists of 42 active brothers, 11 of whom are Life Members. The Chapter is well-represented by Brothers that are employed in professional organizations, corporations, businesses, civic, and public institutions who are well-poised to influence the decision-making process in the Greater Grand Rapids Area and State.